This course introduces concepts and skills through on-line presentations, videos, a field trip, and assignments. You will be introduced to key aspects of the ecology of tropical forests and to essential practical skills such as a basic understanding of how the different elements of tropical forest ecosystems are linked to each other. Communication skills are a fundamental component of this course and you will develop your communication skills through the use of various tools including writing, visual aids and group work.
By the end of this course students should be able to:
Illustrate the relationships between the processes occurring in tropical forest ecosystems and the physical environment.
Compare and contrast the ecological processes occurring in the different tropical regions.
Assess the relevance and importance of different ecological processes in tropical forests.
Select which species are likely to be keystone species in particular tropical forests.
Propose how these processes might be affected by human interventions.
Design ways in which any intervention might minimize the disruption of ecological processes in tropical forests.